Maricopa County Parks and Recreation: Intro to Desert Birding

Ranger Jacque gives a beginner’s glimpse into the birding world with an outdoor bird viewing and indoor presentation on birding. From hobbyists to extreme birdathon competitors, birding is a popular past time all over the world thanks to its relative ease and affordability. Yet for those newly interested, it can seem overwhelming. How do you recognize one bird among some 500 species in Arizona? It may not be as difficult as it seems if you know what to look for. We start on the viewing deck while it’s cool enough to practice birding skills, then we’ll retreat to the AC in the classroom with a beginner’s guide to birding, followed by a review of common Sonoran desert birds. Bring binoculars if you have them, and download the Merlin app (developed by Cornell) prior to arrival to get the most out of your experience. MEETING LOCATION: Nature Center No registration required.